LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Ho-seong (Complete)
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“Why did you ask about that?”
“Ah, no reason. Just curious… How many people actually know about those concepts?”
“About masterpieces and masterworks? Most professionals know, at least.”
So Ms. Lee A-reum has never mentioned it, I thought, slipping my hands into my uniform pants’ pockets.
She was undoubtedly a professional, yet in all the time I’d spent in the old campus building, she’d never once mentioned masterpieces.
Had she simplified things for my sake? Or was there another reason?
It wasn’t something I could figure out right now—not unless I called and asked.
“Yehwa and other young amateurs probably don’t know about it yet, right?”
“Exactly. Their ‘eye’ hasn’t developed yet.”
The “eye”—the ability to perceive life and essence in art.
Now I understood why Ms. Lee A-reum hadn’t raised questions about my drawings.
To most people, the notion of an “eye” would sound absurd. For those immersed in art, it would be an aspiration they’d seek guidance to achieve.
But Ms. Lee A-reum? She’d reprimanded me, saying, How dare you alter someone else’s painting! while practically beating me with a brush.
No way to know for sure right now.
“Are there any masterworks attributed to an artist named Sanya?”
“I’ve seen many masterpieces in my time, but that name doesn’t ring a bell. Besides, there are fewer than 1,000 masterpieces in the world.”
“True… It’s not a common name, anyway.”
Sanya.
That was my pseudonym in my previous life—its meaning, “Black Mountain.”
I’d chosen it because I’d fallen in love with painting while surrounded by the serene stillness of a nighttime mountain.
“So, any idea who painted Ho-seong?”
“How would I know that? There are so many artists out there.”
“Shame. For a moment, I thought you were a tiger cub, but clearly, you’re a full-grown one,” Hong Jin-hu quipped with a sly chuckle.
Unable to hold back, I smirked.
“Perhaps it’s the work of a genius like me?”
“That’s an arrogant assumption, but it’s not without merit.”
Hong Jin-hu nodded seriously, which prompted me to ask,
“Where did you find this painting?”
“At an auction I frequent.”
Figures.
Tracking the artist would be nearly impossible—it’d be like finding a needle in a haystack.
“Let it go. Unless someone like me actively enters the media, it’s a futile effort.”
“I agree. Ho-seong piqued my curiosity, so I bought it. Now, my curiosity is directed at you.”
“Sorry, I’m not into men, and besides, you’re married.”
“I don’t swing that way either,” he replied with a hearty laugh. “But you know what I’m curious about.”
His sly grin reminded me of a snake coiled tightly within its den.
“Let’s leave that for the Prize. Shall we wrap this up, Sun of Atlantis?”
“Kuhuhu… Very well. The other planets will be quite envious of this exchange.”
As he chuckled and carefully re-covered Ho-seong, I couldn’t help but ask:
“Why does Yehwa call you ‘Father’ so formally? Is there a reason for that?”
For a moment, his hands paused mid-motion. He resumed, but his expression turned slightly somber.
“Well, it’s a family matter. But I suppose you, of all people, can know.”
No, no, no. I didn’t mean it like that!
I’d asked out of casual curiosity. I wasn’t looking to uncover a dramatic backstory!
But it was too late. I found myself listening to an unexpectedly heartfelt sitcom of family dynamics.
By the time the story concluded, I was staring at Yehwa, who was playing in the living room with the others.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jin-hu asked.
“Nothing, really. I just think she’s very mature for her age.”
Yehwa carried the weight of being a prodigy, expected to embody both exceptional talent and character.
From a young age, she had been overshadowed by her father’s reputation.
And, of course, there was her mother.
Better not bring that up…
The fact that she was gravely ill made it a subject too delicate to broach.
After stepping out of the study, we joined the others to set the table and enjoy a lively dinner together.
For someone with such a commanding presence, Jin-hu felt surprisingly down-to-earth—like the affable neighborhood uncle.
Still, the thought lingered: Who would win in a no-holds-barred fight—Jin-hu or Soyeol?
My money was on Soyeol.
Late that evening, after receiving permission from all our parents, we finally parted ways and headed home.
Back in my room, my expression grew serious.
“There’s a connection between my reincarnation and this world.”
But why?
Why me, of all people?
I was just a drunk artist in my past life.
How did my paintings come to exist here?
Why are my concepts so widespread?
The mysteries I’d brushed aside at Yehwa’s house were now pressing down on me.
Some trigger had brought me into this world.
But what was it?
What link tied me to this story?
There was so much I wanted to know, yet I had no way to uncover the answers.
“Well… Knowing wouldn’t change much,” I thought.
But it’d bring peace of mind.
I collapsed onto my bed, letting out a deep sigh.
Clearly, this world had expectations for me.
But why?
The protagonist of this story was Lee Do-yoon, not me.
To clear my cluttered thoughts, I sat cross-legged in meditation.
“Deep breath in… and out…”
“Yeah. Nothing’s going to change,” I murmured.
My job was to keep living my life and find happiness in it.
I’d already tied up my past.
Lee Ha-eun was a completely different person.
I didn’t need to meddle anymore.
Masterworks scattered across the world?
Not my problem.
They were no longer tied to me.
The realization brought an unexpected calm.
As I lay down again, I closed my eyes, feeling like I’d fall asleep quickly for the first time in ages.
A month after exams.
Time flies.
It was already the end of May. Tomorrow, June would begin.
Why is everything speeding up?
It felt like the fourth wall was bending—like some unseen force was accelerating time.
Since that day, I’d done some online digging.
But I hadn’t found anything substantial about masterpieces or masterworks.
Only oversimplified articles meant for general readers.
“To think these are concepts only professionals know about. So childish.”
The “eye” was just something that awakened naturally once you reached a certain level.
Talent isn’t really necessary here—effort is.
The more you see, the more you feel.
Of course, the time it takes can be painfully long, but eventually, anyone can develop this “eye.”
For some, it may take longer. But if you develop an eye early, like I did, it comes with several advantages.
For instance…
“Miss Lee, you missed a line in the top left corner.”
I could give pointers to Ms. Lee A-reum, who was working beside me.
“Ugh, I don’t need to draw that.”
“Really?”
“…Actually, I do. Thanks.”
Is this woman really eight years older than me? Sometimes, I feel like she’s the younger one.
Right now, Ms. Lee A-reum was in my studio—not at school.
Why? Honestly, even I wasn’t sure.
Text Exchange:
– [Lee A-reum: Ha-eun! Is there a studio near the school??]
– [Me: Not outside, but there’s one inside the school.]
– [Lee A-reum: It’s the weekend—how would I get into the school?!]
Don’t teachers usually have access to the school?
– [Me: There’s nothing nearby, but my studio is available. Interested?]
– [Lee A-reum: Oh my, is this flirting? A forbidden teacher-student romance…]
– [Me: I’m deleting your number. Let’s just say we don’t know each other starting today.]
– [Lee A-reum: Wait, wait! That was a joke! I’ll come! Please let me in…]
And so, Ms. Lee ended up in my studio, bombarding me with unwanted trivia.
“Of all days for the power to go out—today!”
“You really didn’t need to emphasize that.”
It turned out her studio, located in a multi-use building, had experienced a power outage.
I’d seen the news that morning and thought, Oh…, never expecting someone I knew was involved.
“Miss Lee, can I ask you something?”
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“You’re on your phone.”
This… is a 25-year-old?
“How did you even pass the teacher certification exam?”
“Because this brain is amazing.”
“Sure.”
Our school may be private, but only certified professionals are hired here.
S Group standards, huh? Always on another level.
“Miss Lee, do you have a boyfriend?”
“My, my! A forbidden teacher-student—”
“Never mind.”
“Keep your gaze straight.”
As I leaned back in my chair, my younger sister, Ha-yoon, burst into the studio.
“Oppa! You promised to go out with me after lunch—”
She froze mid-sentence upon spotting Ms. Lee. Her eyes blinked as she raised a finger.
“Another girl?!”
“It’s not what you think. She’s a teacher from school.”
“Oppa, no matter how good-looking you are, dating a teacher is…”
Let’s not.
Ms. Lee, oblivious to my growing headache, fawned over Ha-yoon.
“Aww, I wish I had a younger sibling…”
“Either use honorifics or drop them entirely.”
“Why did the heavens create someone like Lee Ha-eun…”
“I’m not some product to be ‘created,’ and for your information, my mom gave birth to me.”
Seated on Ms. Lee’s lap, Ha-yoon picked up a brush.
“Oh? Is talent hereditary?”
Ms. Lee’s anticipation was immediately dashed.
“…Well, that’s… decent.”
“Miss Lee, your disappointment is practically written across your face.”
With one more person in the studio, the atmosphere grew lively and warm.
“Miss Lee, when are you heading to America?”
At my question, she placed a finger on her chin and looked upward—a gesture straight out of a manga.
“Probably right after the break?”
“Isn’t that cutting it close?”
“Didn’t you know? Our school break starts at the end of June.”
“…What?”
Is this a college or something? Two whole months of vacation?
“Then let’s go together.”
“Oh my, are you—”
“Aren’t you overdoing it at this point? How many times are you going to recycle the same joke?”
“…I’ll send you a plane ticket. Just make sure to be on time, okay?”
“Thank you. And don’t worry, I’ve never been late before.”
Our conversation ended when Ha-yoon began whining.
“Since you’re already here, why not stay for dinner?”
Invited by my mom, we all enjoyed a meal together.
Why had Ms. Lee contacted me first, though?
Sigh.
“You just don’t get it, Miss Lee…”
“Excuse me. I’m your teacher.”
I didn’t feel like explaining.
Now that I think about it, wasn’t Ms. Lee a supporting heroine in the original novel?
This might actually become a problem.
“Oppa, don’t you think it’s time to stop adding more girls?”
“My dear sister, this face won’t rest until I’ve collected 2,000—”
“Eugh.”
She sighed heavily and retreated into my room.
“…Ha-yoon, that’s my room.”
This happened a month before I was set to leave for America.